Sept 28th, 2022

Hey Plant Friends!

This week we are talking about Hemigraphis alternata more commonly known as the Waffle Plant. This plant belongs to the Acanthaceae, or the acanthus plant family, along with Fittonia and Hypoestes, and is native to the tropical regions of Indonesia and India. Hemigraphis alternata is known for its deep purple foliage and crinkly textured leaves. Gardeners like to grow this plant as an annual in pots for the summer, but it also makes an excellent houseplant. Hemigraphis alternata stays relatively small, and can be pruned and trimmed to keep its shape, making it a great tabletop plant.

Let’s talk about care. The purple waffle plant loves bright, indirect light indoors. Direct sun can cause leaf burn. If you decide to grow this outdoors for the summer, find a shady spot to grow it in. Too much low light will cause the dark-purple foliage to fade. Plant in a rich, all-purpose potting soil such as Tonka Terra, our house blend potting mix which is full of organic matter and holds a good amount of moisture . Your purple waffle plant doesn't like to dry down too much and will show wilt when watering is over due. Water once the top 2-3 inches of soil are dry. Keep an eye out for common pests such as mealy bugs and spider mites. Check for pests weekly when watering and keep a bottle of Bonide’s Insecticidal Soap on hand for easy treatment.

Hemigraphis alternata is available at Tonkadale in 4” pots. If you have additional questions feel free to reach out to us by phone, Instagram, or email us at hello@tonkadale.com.

Happy Planting!